50-year-old golden after shedding the pounds

Turning 50 is a milestone for many people. But for Sandra Scott, it was more than a mark of time. It was her deadline to fit into her old clothes.

Sandra never struggled with her weight until well into adulthood. A new medication she took to treat a chemical imbalance threw her metabolism out of whack, and her weight suffered as a result.

After sporting a 130-pound figure throughout her life, it was a shock for Sandra to suddenly shoot up to 194 pounds. As her weight increased, her happiness and confidence decreased.

She couldn't wear cute clothes anymore, and she was self-conscious in public. Sandra tried a number of diets on her own, but nothing did the trick. With her 50th birthday approaching, Sandra had had enough of wearing excess pounds. She needed to find a way to lose weight for good.

Her answer came in September 2006, when she discovered L A Weight Loss. Sandra heard about L A Weight Loss's one-on-one counseling, and thought it would work for her. She was paired up with a weight loss counselor who helped her revamp her diet.

Sandra realized that many of her weight loss woes were caused by the type of foods she ate. Processed foods, for example, were especially difficult for her body to metabolize.

Sandra replaced them with fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and chicken. She also cut back on red meat, fried foods, and fatty dessert intake. Water washed down every meal.

It worked. After a year and a half on the L A Weight Loss program, Sandra lost 56 pounds, just in time for her 50th birthday!

But that's not all. Her 30th wedding anniversary is around the corner too. To celebrate, Sharon and her husband Allan are taking a Mediterranean cruise. She can't wait to wear a new, cute bathing suit!

Sandra is living a healthier life at her goal weight of 138 pounds. She has more energy than ever before, and uses it on her new exercise regime. She also enjoys hiking and shopping for stylish clothes and smaller sizes.

Losing weight has also made Sandra look and feel 15 years younger. Now when she tells people she's 50, no one believes her. Now that's golden!

Best of all, Sharon has her happiness back. Her confidence is way up, and she loves getting up in the morning knowing that she looks good. Way to go, Sharon! We're proud of you!

Here's Sharon at 194 pounds:



And here she is looking incredible at her new weight of 138 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Sandra Scott
Hometown: Welland, Ontario
Age: 50
Height: 5'2"

Starting weight: 194 pounds
Goal weight: 138 pounds
Current weight: 138 pounds
Program start date: September 2006

Favorite food: Eggplant parmesan.

Biggest temptation: Desserts.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to get back into her old wardrobe.

Biggest obstacle: Saying no to the availability of food while traveling.

Old eating philosophy: Eating too many carbs, desserts, and fried foods.

New eating philosophy: Including salad, fresh fruits, fish, and chicken into her meals.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining self esteem and feeling like herself again.

Best weight loss secret learned: Lowering your sodium intake can help you lose weight.

No challenge too tough for Canadian mom

Life doesn't always follow a plan, but the difficult times are often the most inspirational.

Diane Dobson, for example, used brain surgery as the motivation to tackle her weight problem and win her life back.

She had been overweight her entire life. She tried every diet on the market, but nothing worked. Diane usually felt she was losing weight to please other people, and the scale dial bounced back and forth for years.

After giving birth to two children, her weight climbed to 315 pounds and stayed there for 15 years. Diane preferred water over soft drinks or juice. But heaping portions of bread, chocolate, pastries, and pasta always made their way to her plate.

And she often indulged in late-night binges and sugar-filled quick fixes. As her weight increased, her happiness decreased.

In her 30s and 40s, Diane began having seizures. When she got it checked out, her doctors found that a mass in her brain, which she had had her entire life, was a tumor. It was causing the seizures, and she needed surgery immediately to remove part of it.

Diane underwent the operation on April 11, 2006. She was awake during the procedure, as is common during brain surgeries. Fortunately, it was a success. And it also inspired her to tackle her weight problem.

With a renewed commitment to lose weight, Diane decided to not tell anyone about her plans to lose weight. She thought it would keep the pressure off her, so she could focus on her weight loss goal.

Diane heard about L A Weight Loss, and decided to try it. In May 2007, she joined her local Hamilton, Ontario, L A Weight Loss center. She met with a one-on-one weight loss counselor, who taught her how to eat smaller meals five times a day.

Diane made donuts and over-stuffed sandwiches history. Instead she dined on yogurt, rice, tuna, and plenty of healthy, low-fat chicken. If she wanted a snack, she grabbed some fruit.

Since joining L A Weight Loss, Diane has lost 136 pounds! She currently weighs 178 pounds, and is closer than ever to her weight loss goal of 160 pounds.

Diane's not just eating right, she's racking up the miles every day by walking. She's logging up to six hours, three to four days a week. When the Canadian winter thaws, Diane says she'll step it up to five or six days a week.

In the meantime, she's doing push ups, sit ups, and churning out 45 minutes on a stationary bike. She's definitely caught the workout bug.

Even though Diane had originally kept her weight loss a secret, when you lose 136 pounds, people take notice. Her confidence has grown enormously, and she feels like everyone finally notices her. Her new boyfriend certainly did! ;)

Best of all, Diane looks in the mirror every day and knows she looks good and feels great. Way to go, Diane! We're proud of you!

Here's Diane at 315 pounds:



Here's a happy and healthy Diane today at 178 pounds:



Fast Facts

Name: Diane Dobson
Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario
Age: 44
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 315 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 178 pounds
Program start date: May 15, 2007

Favorite food: Bread and pastries.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Surviving brain surgery.

Biggest obstacle: Making sure she ate three meals a day.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on pasta, bread, donuts, and chocolate candy bars.

New eating philosophy: Including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling alive and living life to the fullest.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can eat five times a day and lose weight.

New life blossoms for Monique Bloomfield

Life is all about the little things -- a smile, a warm cup of tea, a sunny summer day. And if you ask Monique Bloomfield, she'll tell you it's the little things that made losing weight worth it.

Weight was never a problem for Monique until she reached her 40s. That's when her activity level and metabolism slowed, but her eating did not. Monique didn't think about what she was eating, only whether it tasted good.

By her mid-50s, she weighed 166 pounds. That was too much weight for her 5'1" inch frame to support. Monique suffered from knee pain whenever she walked up the stairs, and couldn't bend down to paint her toes or play with her dog. She also had high cholesterol, and was on medication for high blood pressure.

But it wasn't until Monique saw a picture of herself on vacation that she started seriously considering losing weight. She knew she needed more support than any self-help book could offer, and found L A Weight Loss to be an ideal fit.

Each week, Monique went to a one-on-one weight loss counseling session at the Nepean, Ottawa, L A Weight Loss center. Her counselors taught her how to make healthy choices.

For Monique, it all came down to planning her meals and thinking about what she was eating before putting it in her mouth. She added more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water to her diet, and eliminated many greasy, fried, and sweet foods.

It wasn't long before Monique's weight began to drop. As the numbers on the scale decreased, her energy level increased. Everyday activities became easier, and she no longer needed a nap to make it through the day.

Since joining L A Weight Loss in March 2006, Monique has lost 37 pounds! She's inched past her weight loss goal of 130 pounds, currently weighing 129.

Monique appreciates the little things she can do now, such as getting on the floor to play with her dog, crossing her legs, and walking up the steps without getting winded.

And Monique is looking as good as she feels these days. Shopping for smaller sizes fun, not to mention constant motivation to stay healthy. Monique's family is proud of the progress she's made, and so are we. Way to go, Monique!

Here's Monique at 166 pounds:



And here she is today, looking great at 129 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Monique Bloomfield
Hometown: Pemptbille, Ontario
Age: 57
Height: 5'1"

Starting weight: 166 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 129 pounds
Program start date: March 2006

Favorite food: Sugar pie.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Fitting into smaller-sized clothes.

Biggest obstacle: Making herself go to the center every week.

Old eating philosophy: Not thinking about what she was eating.

New eating philosophy: Maintaining control and a healthy balance.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining lots of energy!

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink plenty of water and eat often to keep your metabolism going.

Ontario woman takes what she dished out

Getting a dose of your own medicine might sound unpleasant. But that remedy helped Kym Doornekamp of Ridgeway, Ontario, take control of her life.

She was always health-conscious, and stayed in shape throughout adolescence and early adulthood. So becoming an L A Weight Loss counselor was not a stretch. Kym enjoyed teaching people proper eating habits, while helping them reach their goal weights.

Kym led a healthy lifestyle until she was diagnosed with a heart condition at age 32. She became largely bedridden. Kym's medications had weight gain side effects. Plus, her lack of exercise kept her from burning calories, and her weight crept up.

She became depressed, and wanted her old life back. Kym didn't care what she ate, because she felt it didn't matter. She loaded up on carbs and sweets, and consumed almost anything else until she was stuffed.

Soon Kym weighed 225 pounds. On days when she did leave her bed, Kym liked to visit the mall. But lugging around her extra weight made her winded after taking the stairs, and lightheaded after walking past four stores. Worse, the extra pounds exacerbated her heart condition. Kym was disgusted with herself, and angry that she let her weight control her life.

She turned to the one program she already knew and believed in: L A Weight Loss. But this time, she was the one seeking nutritional guidance and personalized counseling.

Kym joined L A Weight Loss, and refocused her eating plan and outlook. She ate balanced meals in the proper portions, and drank plenty of water. Breakfast was usually oatmeal, a banana, and skim milk; and lunch, a salad with light dressing.

For supper, Kym enjoyed chicken breast, rice, and mixed vegetables. In between meals, she usually ate celery with peanut butter, or yogurt. Throughout her journey, she leaned on her personal counselors for support and inspiration.

In just 10 months, Kym lost 95 pounds! She now clocks in at a healthy 130 -- back to her old form!

Her heart condition has dramatically improved, and her symptoms have decreased in severity. That's given her new-found energy, which she uses to walk and bike every day. In fact, Kym walked a marathon in Niagara Falls last year, and plans to run the Boston Marathon as soon as she's ready.

Kym loves the way she looks, and sometimes can't believe her reflection in the mirror. Her husband is also thrilled about her weight loss, and the couple is closer.

Kym believes L A Weight Loss is the reason she's achieved her better way of life. What she once thought was impossible, is now possible!

Wow, great job, Kym! Keep up the fantastic work!

This is Kym before, at 225 pounds:



And here she is today, a new person at 130. Looking fabulous, Kym!



FAST FACTS

Name: Kym Doornekamp
Hometown: Ridgeway, Ontario
Age: 34
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 225 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Salad and pitas.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate bars.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from her husband.

Biggest obstacle: Being tempted by food, especially pepperoni pizza.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything that looked good.

New eating philosophy: Choosing healthy foods and eating until she's just slightly full.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining new self-confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: Go easy on the salt!

Ice, elevation, and weight loss for one Canadian mom

An injury can be a devastating event for someone who leads an active lifestyle. A broken arm is a basketball player's worst nightmare, while a torn ACL is pure unhappiness for a hiker.

So it's no wonder many people take extreme care to stay off the injury list. That's what Estelle Moynes learned the hard way.

Throughout her life, Estelle was never considered skinny. Fortunately, her active lifestyle kept her fit through college. Once she reached her early 20s, however, Estelle began putting on the pounds.

As the years rolled by, her gradual weight gain pushed the scale dial further to the right. By the time Estelle turned 40, she weighed in at 239 pounds.

She still maintained an active lifestyle, but her hobbies frequently landed her on the couch with a sprained ankle. The usual prescription: ice, elevate, and keep the weight off it.

At age 40, she knew that losing weight was the best bet for keeping herself injury-free. More importantly, she wanted to enjoy life with her three children; and play, bike, and hike with them without getting winded.

So Estelle decided to take the doctor's orders one step further, and really keep the weight off.

That's what brought her to the local L A Weight Loss center in Ottawa, Canada, in April 2006. Working closely with her personal L A Weight Loss counselors, Estelle learned the importance of a balanced diet and smaller portions.

She replaced her usual starches, fast food, chips, and desserts with healthy home cooking, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables.

Estelle was determined to make it work, and became aware of everything she ate. Her husband and children offered constant support and encouragement. The weight melted away, and soon Estelle hit her goal weight of 182 pounds!!

Now she glows with confidence, and has re-vamped her entire wardrobe. Better yet, she has plenty of energy for her children. Estelle loves her family bike rides, and enjoys walking the trails near her Ontario home.

Clearly, Estelle's weight isn't keeping her on the sidelines anymore. Awesome job, Estelle!

Here's Estelle at 239 pounds:



And here she is 57 pounds lighter after 31 weeks on the program. Doesn't she look great?!



FAST FACTS

Name: Estelle Moynes
Hometown: Casselman, Ontario, Canada
Age: 41
Height: 5'8"

Starting weight: 239 pounds
Goal weight: 182 pounds
Current weight: 182 pounds
Program start date: April 2006

Favorite food: BBQ steak with a big salad and a baked potato.

Biggest temptation: Potato chips.

Biggest motivator: Relieving her ankle pain by carrying less weight.

Biggest obstacle: Changing her routine.

Old eating philosophy: Eating large portion sizes -- the bigger the better.

New eating philosophy: Maintaining a healthy balance of everything she eats.

Best thing about losing weight: Having more confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: You have to eat to lose weight!

Tammy Lara proves it's never too late to be a comeback kid

If you have kids, you probably struggle to get them to eat right. Most children don't want their vegetables, fruits, or anything else that's healthy. But developing poor eating habits as a kid can catch up to you in adulthood, as Tammy Lara of Maple, Ontario, found out.

Tammy was always on the heavier side. She had a family history of weight problems, as her mother and relatives on her side were obese. Plus, she didn't learn good nutrition as a child. Instead, Tammy was free to eat whatever tasted good, which meant junk food and candy.

Her eating habits didn't improve with age. Tammy often ate a bag of chips in one sitting, and munched on fast and fried foods throughout the day. She washed it all down with high-calorie soda, pushing her weight to 301 pounds.

Then Tammy became hypothyroid, which made her feel sluggish. It also slowed her metabolism, which helped pack on even more pounds. She experienced chronic back and knee pain, too, which limited her mobility -- and her ability to play with her two kids, Tyler, age 5, and Samantha, age 11.

She could only watch them scream with excitement when they rode amusement park rides, because she couldn't fit into the seats with them. And time spent at the zoo was cut short because Tammy didn't have the energy to walk long distances or withstand warm temperatures.

Meanwhile, her mother developed diabetes and heart problems from her excess weight (being a heavy smoker didn't help either). The complications wore her health down, and she passed away just before her 61st birthday.

Her mother's death was a wake-up call for Tammy. She realized she needed to do something about her weight, or risk cutting her life short like her mother. Tammy wanted to be there for her kids, and spend more quality time with them. So she decided to join L A Weight Loss.

Tammy finally learned what she should have been taught long ago. She sat down with the nutrition experts and one-on-one weight loss counselors to evaluate her food choices. They helped her re-focus her eating regimen to include proper portions of fresh, healthy foods, and exclude fried and fast foods.

Tammy also started drinking more water, and cut out the soda. She also learned which low-calorie, low-fat foods to order at restaurants, as well as how to cook and barbecue healthy meals at home.

The weight started coming off. Tammy felt her mobility and energy coming back. She lost 141 pounds on the L A Weight Loss plan, and is now just 30 pounds away from her 130-pound goal weight!

Tammy continues to eat according to the L A Weight Loss plan. In fact, she's spreading the good habits to her kids. Tammy's daughter is slightly overweight, but thanks to lessons in good nutrition and portion sizes from her mom, she's lost 17 pounds!

But that's not all Tammy is doing with her kids. With renewed energy and mobility, she takes her kids to the park, goes on the swings, and rides down the slide with them. She can also fit through amusement park turnstiles and go on rides with ease.

Plus, Tammy walks on the treadmill every other day. And her husband George tells her she looks great, which is music to her ears!

Way to go, Tammy! Keep up the great work!

This is the 301-pound Tammy before:



And here she is today, weighing 160 pounds! Great job, Tammy!



FAST FACTS

Name: Tammy Lara
Hometown: Maple, Ontario, Canada
Age: 35
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 301 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: October 18, 2005

Favorite food: Nachos and cheese.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate and animal crackers.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to play with her kids and be there for them in the future.

Biggest obstacle: Keeping up with her kids.

Old eating philosophy: Drinking soda and eating chips all the time.

New eating philosophy: Drinking water, and eating fresh vegetables and grilled chicken.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling healthier, and being able to spend more quality time with her kids.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you know how to order right, you can still eat your favorite foods at restaurants while losing weight.

Canadian nurse practices what she preaches

Talking the talk is easy. But walking the walk is a different story.

As a registered nurse who spent her time public speaking about health and motivational issues, Linda Taylor knew her lifestyle didn't match the lessons she was teaching.

Linda struggled with weight her entire life. Her weight topped out at 268 pounds after a devastating year of personal and family problems, which she addressed with a lot of comfort eating.

Her extra weight made Linda uncomfortable in front of crowds -- a problem in her occupation. And she felt hypocritical preaching about health, knowing she was leading a far-from-healthy lifestyle.

Every time she went shopping, Linda felt she was buying clothes in a larger size. The cruelty of dressing room mirrors and lights made her hate every shopping experience.

With summer approaching, Linda was fed up. She didn't want to be overweight for another bathing suit season. But she couldn't stick to a diet plan in the face of temptation, and without the support she really needed.

Then Linda heard about L A Weight Loss, and decided it was the program for her. So she marched down to her local L A Weight Loss center and joined the program in March 2006.

L A Weight Loss taught Linda the valuable lesson of accountability and portion control. As her encouraging, one-on-one L A Weight Loss counselor often reminded her, "Nothing tastes as good as thin."

Linda became more conscious of what foods she ate. She incorporated lean meats and vegetables into her diet, and exercised often.

Plus, she appreciated the supportive environment of L A Weight Loss, and the counselors' goals to educate her and improve her lifestyle. And improve Linda did, melting away to 160 pounds!

Her new lifestyle has given her a new lease on life. Linda now walks the walk -- around her neighborhood, that is -- for an hour every morning and evening with her dog. She also enjoys strenuous activities such as raking leaves, shoveling snow, and clearing tree branches.

Her attitude has brightened, too, and she feels 10 years younger. The best part: She looks great on stage! Her audiences can see that Linda is fit as a fiddle and radiating confidence from the podium.

Without a doubt, Linda is one health care specialist who practices what she preaches, and inspires others to do the same. Terrific job, Linda!

Here's Linda weighing in at a hefty 277 pounds:



Here she is now 117 pounds lighter! If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!



FAST FACTS

Name: Linda Taylor
Hometown: Utopia, Ontario
Age: 56
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 267 pounds
Goal weight: 158 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: March 24, 2006

Favorite food: Cherry yogurt.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate bars.

Biggest motivator: Feeling great in her clothes.

Biggest obstacle: Eating food for comfort, then being reluctant to weigh in.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Remembering that food doesn't have the power.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling at peace, accomplished, and successful.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don't skip meals. Eat protein every three hours, don't eat after 7 p.m., and watch the pounds melt away!

The Bosses give their extra weight the pink slip

Ask parents what they fear most about raising kids, and they are sure to say outliving them. Burying a child, no matter how old, is the most heart-wrenching experience anyone can go through.

Suzanne and King Boss of London, Ontario, can certainly relate to those feelings. Two years ago, the couple lost their 43-year-old son, Bill, in a tow truck accident -- and with it, their appetite for watching their health and weight.

Soon, Suzanne reached 206 pounds, and King reached 258 pounds. But it wasn’t until King suffered a heart attack during Christmas in 2005 that the couple decided to commit to losing weight. After all, they wanted to be there for their five other children and eight grandchildren.

The couple joined L A Weight Loss in March 2006, and completely turned their eating habits around. They went from heavy helpings of bacon and eggs for breakfast, and hamburgers and French fries for dinner, to cereal for breakfast, and chicken, fish, and salads for dinner.

The result: Suzanne dropped to 147 pounds, while King’s crowning achievement was dropping to 197 pounds -- all in just a year!

Even better, Suzanne reached her goal weight last September, right in time for their son’s wedding. She also went from size 16 to size 8, while King lost 8 inches off his waist, and now sports size L pants instead of XXLs.

The couple is ready to spend their retirement years swimming, taking long walks together, and enjoying their grandchildren. Congrats, Suzanne and King!

Here are the Bosses at the beginning of their weight loss journey. Suzanne is at 206 pounds, and King is at 258 pounds.



And here they are quite a few pounds lighter! Suzanne is at 147 pounds, and King is at 197 pounds. You look great!



FAST FACTS

Name: Suzanne Boss
Hometown: London, Ontario
Age: 64
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 206 pounds
Goal weight: 156 pounds
Current weight: 147 pounds
Program start date: March 1, 2006

Favorite food: Vegetables.

Biggest temptation: Hamburgers.

Biggest motivator: Attending their son's wedding in September 2006.

Biggest obstacle: Staying away from restaurants that were once old favorites.

Old eating philosophy: Eating any food in sight.

New eating philosophy: Reading every label carefully before buying it.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better about herself and shopping for new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: A good way to sustain yourself until dinner is to have a bottled water and apple.



Name: King Boss
Hometown: London, Ontario
Age: 70
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 258 pounds
Goal weight: 185 pounds
Current weight: 197 pounds
Program start date: March 1, 2006

Favorite food: Chicken.

Biggest temptation: Chicken wings.

Biggest motivator: Attending their son's wedding in September of 2006.

Biggest obstacle: Avoiding eating out.

Old eating philosophy: Eating large portions.

New eating philosophy: Asking what is in food he orders at restaurants.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling and looking better.

Best weight loss secret learned: Small healthy snacks throughout the day stave off hunger.

Tanya Jones recaptures her schoolgirl charm

Struggling with weight issues isn't easy for anyone. But it's especially tough for twenty-somethings who should be enjoying the best years of their lives.

No one knows that better than Tanya Jones. The 20-year-old university student was a sad, skeptical young woman who buried her emotions in food, quickly hitting 357 pounds. She stayed home a lot, afraid that people would talk about her behind her back.

Tanya had struggled with weight her entire life, and none of the diets she tried were right for her. She found it difficult to walk through school, especially the library, carrying all that weight. She felt the bookshelves closing in on her.

And as if that feeling weren't enough to motivate Tanya to find a program that worked for her, she also feared she would someday suffer a heart attack -- just like her grandfather.

Tanya decided to take the plunge. Supported by her mother -- a cancer survivor and Tanya's biggest inspiration -- she walked into the L A Weight Loss center in Oakville, Ontario.

Through one-on-one meetings with her counselor Barb Reidy, Tanya learned portion control, and lost nine pounds in just the first week! Since then, she's lost a total of 140 pounds. She's at 217 pounds, and is well on her way to her goal weight of 200 pounds.

Now, words like delightful, bubbly, and amazing more aptly describe Tanya. She is more outgoing, and has a better time being out with friends.

The fear of people talking behind her back is gone -- along with the excess weight! Great job, Tanya!!

This is Tanya at her heaviest -- 357 pounds:



And here she is now, after just one year on the program. Way to go, Tanya!



FAST FACTS

Name: Tanya Jones
Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
Age: 20
Height: 5'10"

Starting weight: 357 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 217 pounds
Program start date: April 28, 2006

Favorite food: Zucchini.

Biggest temptation: Ice cream or pizza.

Biggest motivator: Her family, who gave her support, and her weight loss counselors.

Biggest obstacle: Finding a weight loss program that worked for her.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging in sugary and high-carb foods.

New eating philosophy: Eating nutritional foods in smaller portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better about herself, and feeling healthier.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eating every two to three hours keeps you from feeling hungry.

The Ontario couple that joins together ...

... loses together, of course!

When Megan McKean gave birth to daughter Catherine two years ago, she really needed support -- not just with her pride and joy, but also to deal with her post-partum weight gain.

The 27-year-old from Whitby, Ontario, had struggled with weight issues her whole life. And after pregnancy, Megan reached 283 pounds -- the largest she'd ever been.

Her friend told her about L A Weight Loss, and it wasn’t long before Megan walked into the Oshawa center with her husband Victor right beside her. Not only did he want to give Megan moral support, but, at 296 pounds, he wanted to get healthy himself.

The weight started melting away. In fact, Victor couldn’t believe how easily the pounds came off. He was hooked on the program. Since joining in October 2005, the couple lost 189 pounds together -- Victor 96 and Megan 93!

Now at 196 pounds, Megan’s energy level has risen to the point that she exercises every other day, and can do much more for her daughter.

Since reaching his goal weight of 200 pounds, Victor is eyeing next winter when he can lace up his skates and play hockey again. That’s something he’s missed while weighing nearly 300 pounds.

Victor and Megan still create meal plans together, and they find staying on course is easier with a partner. Plus, the experience has brought them closer together as a couple.

Way to go guys!!

This is Megan, with Catherine, before at 283 pounds:



This is Victor, with Catherine, before at 296 pounds:



And here is the new couple now, with Megan at 196 pounds and Victor at 200 pounds! Looking great!



FAST FACTS

Name: Megan McKean
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Age: 27
Height: 5’8"

Starting weight: 283 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 196 pounds
Program start date: October 2005

Favorite food: Cheesecake.

Biggest temptation: Ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Her husband, Victor.

Biggest obstacle: Hitting a plateau.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything she wanted to.

New eating philosophy: Remembering that eating unhealthy foods will show up on the scale.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better about herself, and having more energy to keep up with her daughter, Catherine.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stick with it, and you will hit that goal.



Name: Victor McKean
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Age: 29
Height: 6'1"

Starting weight: 296 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 200 pounds
Program start date: October 2005

Favorite food: Green salad with chicken or turkey.

Biggest temptation: Ice cream, cake, and cookies.

Biggest motivator: His wife, Megan.

Biggest obstacle: Eating the right foods while traveling for work.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever he wanted without thinking about the amount or portion size.

New eating philosophy: Making healthy food choices, and staying away from salt.

Best thing about losing weight: Having a healthy new lifestyle with his wife.

Best weight loss secret learned: Cooking vegetables such as corn and peas is a really easy to get your nutrients.

Two hearts beat as one

For Wendy and Mark Wagler, joining L A Weight Loss together was a no-brainer. They've always had a solid marriage, and both had the same health concern: They didn't want their weight to get in the way of living a long, happy life.

They were also concerned about the health problems that run in their families. Wendy's father was diabetic who passed away before turning 60, and her mother suffered a few strokes. Mark's father recently had his lower intestines removed.

Being overweight themselves, Wendy and Mark knew they were heading down the wrong road. Wendy and Mark walked into the Oshawa, Ontario, L A Weight Loss center together on Aug. 1, 2005.

Through it all, working together was key. After listening to their story, I don't think they would have been so successful had they done it alone. They leaned on each other a lot for support, and bought new bikes for each other as a reward for losing weight.

They even surpassed their goal weights together! Wendy went from 190 pounds to 129 pounds (six pounds below her goal), and Mark went from 230 pounds to 168 pounds (seven pounds below his goal).

Now Wendy and Mark are planning a vacation to show off their new bodies. They made the commitment to lose weight, and ended up becoming more committed to each other. Wendy and Mark tell me they are more in love than ever! Ah, amore!

Here's the couple before, Wendy at 190 pounds, and Mark at 230 pounds:



And here's Wendy today at 129 pounds:



Here's Mark today at 168:



FAST FACTS

Name: Wendy Wagler
Hometown: Oshawa, Ontario
Age: 43

Starting weight: 190 pounds
Goal weight: 135 pounds
Current weight: 129 pounds
Program start date: Aug. 1, 2005

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Her husband, Mark.

Biggest obstacle: Staying disciplined.

Old eating philosophy: Atkins diet, which made her gain weight once she started eating carbs again.

New eating philosophy: Salad everyday, with good portions of protein.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the confidence to go back to school to be a medical lab technicians, and looking forward to the future with her family.

Best weight loss secret learned: Erase all the memories of weight loss failure. Focus on what the L A Weight Loss counselors tell you, and you'll succeed.



Name: Mark Wagler
Hometown: Oshawa, Ontario
Age: 44

Starting weight: 230 pounds
Goal weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Program start date: Aug. 1, 2005

Biggest motivator: His wife, Wendy.

Biggest obstacle: Revamping his eating style.

Old eating philosophy: Weight Watchers and Atkins, which were "too difficult to stay on."

New eating philosophy: Plan meals the day before, and watch sodium consumption.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the energy to spend more time with the kids, and being more in love with Wendy.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't have to go it alone. It's OK to lean on others to help you through this major life change.